The Honduran Embassy in Spain has granted Miguel Angel Cortés,
President of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation,
with the Orden Civil de José Cecilio del Valle en el
Grado de Gran Cruz Placa de Oro award for the aid his organization
has provided on behalf of the Spanish people.
The award is the highest civilian honor granted by the Honduran
government. In addition to serving as President of the Spanish
Agency for International Cooperation, Cortés is the
Secretary General for International Cooperation in Ibero-America.
The award was given by Ambassador Aníbal Quiñonez,
Vice minister of Foreign Relations. Also present was Honduran
Ambassador to Spain Leila Odeh de Scott.
Cortés said he was honored to receive the award, both
on behalf of himself, as well as the government ministry he
presides. He also praised Honduran President Ricardo Maduro
for his efforts to promote the integration of Central America.
Ambassador Quiñónez spoke of the strong ties
that link Spain and Ibero-America and said the award, named
after Jose Cecilio del Valle, a man who fought for Pan-American
principles, is an excellent reflection of the goals of the
Spanish International Cooperation Agency, which works to provide
non-refundable assistance to those who need it.
The award ceremony was held at the Hotel Ritz in Madrid before
an audience of government officials, diplomats, NGO representatives
and members of development agencies.
